Learning
6
Learning
The interventions described in the last section represent a promising starting point for a broader learning agenda at The Life You Can Save. However, the success of any behavioral intervention is dependent upon the specific context that it is implemented in. Creating the optimal intervention for The Life You Can Save’s unique context requires constant evaluation and adaptation. In short, to get the most out of behavioral interventions, The Life You Can Save needs a long-term learning strategy. Figure 6.1 shows that, in behavioral science, learning is an ongoing process. It begins with defining and diagnosing a behavioral bottleneck and researching past studies conducted on similar topics in similar contexts. Using that information, interventions are designed to address the behavioral bottleneck. The most promising
interventions are implemented and their results are evaluated to determine what works best among the set. Adapting the best intervention, or parts from several interventions, is key to long-term success. Periodically, the behavioral bottleneck should be reexamined to determine if the implemented intervention is still working as intended or if the behavioral bottlenecks need to be redefined and rediagnosed, starting the process again. Consider the example of the email invitation to share the book intervention proposed in the last section. Evaluating the intervention may find that the most effective part of the intervention is the salient reminder to share the book, not the reciprocity or community building frames. In that case, an adaptation may be that The Life You Can Save continues to use email invitations to share the book, but
Figure 6.1 Behavioral Science Learning Is an Ongoing Process
Source: World Bank. 2015. World Development Report 2015: Mind, Society, and Behavior. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi: 10.1596/978-1-4648-0342-0.
51
